A Test after becoming the first team in history to have their Nos. 9, 10 and 11 top-score in the innings, West Indies achieved the feat yet again today (January 25).
What was the achievement?
West Indies slumped to a 127-run defeat against Pakistan in the first Test at Multan, after managing 137 and 123 in their two innings. Despite the abject capitulation, the Windies also managed to enter record books, albeit for a somewhat unwanted feat, with their last three batters ending with the highest scores in the first innings.
No.9 Gudakesh Motie made 19, No.10 Jomel Warrican was unbeaten on 31 and No.11 Jayden Seales scored 22. Only two other batters from the top eight had made it to double figures, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Kevin Sinclair scoring 11 runs each.
It was the first time in Test cricket history that a team’s number nine, ten and eleven were the highest run-scorers in a team’s innings. It was also the third time the Nos. 10 and 11 top-scored in an innings.
When was the feat repeated?
Just one Test later, by the very same team West Indies, against the same opposition, Pakistan. Batting first in the second game, the visitors had been reduced to 38-7 when Motie walked out to the middle. Noman Ali had put up another clinical show, sending back four of the top eight batters, among whom only Kavem Hodge scored more than 10.
Motie took the attack to Pakistan, scoring 55 in 87 balls, hitting four fours during his knock that came at a strike rate of 63.21. He was joined by No.10 batter Kemar Roach after Hodge departed, the duo stitching together 41 runs for the ninth wicket. Roach made 25 before he was trapped in front by Noman.
Match 2nd Test, Pakistan vs West Indies
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- Ball by ball Over
Warrican, the No.11, faced 40 balls for his unbeaten 36, hitting two sixes as West Indies’ score crossed the 150-run mark. Motie was the last to be dismissed, with West Indies folding for 163.
They managed to take a nine-run lead after Pakistan were all out for 154 in the second innings, with Warrican scalping four wickets.
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